This was an excellent debut novel and I'm mad at myself for not reading it sooner! It ticks all the boxes for me; unsolved murder, dark academia, Halloween vibes. You should definitely pick this up as a fall read if you love thrillers!

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC in exchange for my honest review

“Return to midnight” is an excellent debut thriller full of mystery. Read if you enjoy:

- Dark Academia
- Spooky gothic Victorian homes
- Not so innocent Ballerinas
- Murder sprees
- Missing persons cold case
- Amateur sleuthing

10 years after the massacre of her best friends, Margot is still struggling to come to terms with things. Her boyfriend was arrested for the murders yet she’s always had niggling doubts that they really caught the correct person.

As a way to process her experience she is writing a book about ‘that night’. When she receives anonymous threats hinting towards her harbouring secrets she decides to return to the scene of the crime.

This book was truly great for a debut. It had an interesting plot filled with complex characters, fast pacing and a creepy setting. Additional to the murder of her school friends, there was an additional side mystery that we get to see unravel as events are explained.

The book switches between her present day investigation and flashes to the past where we get to see the dynamic between her and her friends along with a count down to the big murder.

My only criticism is that the whole book seemed to lead to the big show down where the reader gets to see how everything went down that night, but when we reached the night in question, the scene seemed to be very rushed and we didn’t get much detail at all into the original murders. Likely the author wanted to steer away from the gore and stick with Margot’s POV who couldn’t have physical seen it all happen, but I would have loved to get a Birds Eye view of the events and see everything first hand.

Otherwise I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more of this authors work!

If you listen to the audiobook it is narrated by Emily Lawrence who did a great job of bringing the story to life.

Thank you to Emma Dues, Brilliance Audio and Thomas & Mercer for the ALC EARC

Publish date: August 27th 2024

This is a solid thriller and a great choice for going into the fall season. It is a murder mystery storyline that slowly reveals more little by little and includes college friendships, a interesting Victorian house with a dark past, and a troubled MC looking for answers and digging through clues. It isn't going to be the most memorable book for me, and is more of a popcorn thriller.

There was just something about the blurb of Return To Midnight that made this debut impossible to resist. The whole Midnight House Massacre, one of the survivors returning to the house to write a memoir, the threats, the secrets... There is no doubt that the premise of this story has a lot of potential. Now that I've had the chance to read Return To Midnight, I'm somehow struggling to make my mind up about this book though. Why? I'll try to explain below.

Like I said before, the premise of this story is without doubt both strong and intriguing. There is so much potential to be found, with plenty of secrets and questions about both past and present. Return To Midnight uses a dual timeline structure, switching between the present and different points in time both before and after the Midnight House Massacre. The flashback chapters were quite intriguing, as they gave you more insight in what happened back then while slowly revealing some of the secrets the characters have been hiding. BUT. I also can't deny that they slowed down the pace at times, and the fact that so much is being held back for such a long time could get quite frustrating. I understand not revealing everything straight away, but in this case I felt that the twists and reveals came a bit too late to be truly satisfying.

It actually took me quite some time to get a proper feel for the story, and I think the whole holding-back-information definitely had to do with it. It became quite repetitive to read about the fact the characters had secrets without giving you a little teaser to keep you engaged... It kind of had the opposite effect than what was probably intended, because I started to care less and less about what really happened that night. Sure, the last part of the story is without doubt intense and there were some twists I didn't see coming, but they just didn't really hit home anymore as I wasn't all that invested in the truth by then.

I also wasn't sure about the characters. There was just something about Margot that made it hard to warm up to her, and the fact that she kept making stupid decision after the other didn't really help either. Seriously, so much of the things that happened both in past and present could have been avoided by calling the police, and it made me want to scream in frustration. Also, how dense can Margot be by staying at the Midnight House when it's SO obvious that Remi and Kyle don't want her there? And especially after certain things start happening? Like I said, it was hard to root for her with all the foolish mistakes she kept making.

I can't deny that the flashback chapters did a good job describing the friends living at the Midnight House though, and with the different personalities it was quite easy to keep them apart. Were they likeable? Not exactly, but the flaws did make them seem more realistic. I could have done with the cheating angle and abundance of toxic relationships/friendships, as there was a LOT of drama along the way... The setting itself was excellent though, as the Victorian home made for the perfect backdrop for this story.

All in all I did end up having mixed thoughts about this story, but if you don't mind a slower start and unlikeable characters, Return To Midnight does have something interesting to offer. The ending comes as a surprise, that's for sure!

Return to Midnight is a fantastic debut thriller that will keep you intrigued and guessing until the end. I loved the mystery of this story, with the impending threats and so many secrets. The characters are well developed and jump off the page. I felt all the emotions of the main character, Margo, and loved going on this journey with her.

I definitely recommend this thriller!

I also listened to the audiobook version of this story. I absolutely love the narrator. She was perfect for this story. I listened at 1.75x speed (my normal audiobook listening speed is 1.75-2x speed).

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, Brilliance Audio, and Emma Dues for entrusting me with the ARC and ALC. I greatly appreciate you allowing me to read and review.

I almost let "Return to Midnight" slip through my fingers, buried on my shelf and on the verge of expiring when I finally decided to crack it open. This gripping tale had me captivated from the first chaotic moment, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about it.
The premise hooked me right away: five university students were murdered in Ohio, the horrific event dubbed the Midnight House Massacre. Ten years later, survivor Margot Davis has been trying to bury the memories of that fateful night and the killer's true identity. But when she returns to Midnight House to write her narrative, everything shifts. Reconnecting with other survivors, confronting her trauma, and facing the ugly conspiracy theories surrounding the massacre should be cathartic, but the chilling threats she begins to receive turn her world upside down.
I was incredibly drawn to the concept of a friend group harbouring dark secrets, ultimately leading to betrayal and tragedy. The buildup was so well-crafted—what seemed simple at first quickly unravelled into a complex web of emotions, lies, and chilling revelations. I was completely hooked!
While some twists were only slightly surprising throughout the book, the final revelation left my jaw on the floor. I genuinely didn't see it coming; when the pieces clicked together, I was left gasping, completely caught off guard. I appreciated the pacing, too. The first half focused more on character development and story context, allowing me to form deep connections with Margot and her friends before the plot began to thicken.
I adored the switching timelines between the present and flashbacks to that harrowing night. I’m such a sucker for that storytelling technique, as it layered the narrative beautifully and made the mounting tension even more palpable.
And then there’s Aaron—my heart broke for him! Although he isn’t a dominant figure throughout the book, what little we learn about him is incredibly poignant. Dues nails the emotional complexity in Margot’s relationships, particularly with Remi and Kyle, and I appreciated how their secrets were eventually unearthed.
At the end of it all, I found myself obsessively flipping through the last pages, enthralled by the unfolding of events and emotionally invested in the characters. "Return to Midnight" has easily captured a top spot on my favourites list this year. Emma Dues has delivered a masterful blend of suspense, emotion, and some damn good storytelling that has reignited my excitement for mystery thrillers!

This is a slow burn suspense Thriller. Ten years ago, five students were murdered but Margot survived somehow. The unfortunate happening still traumatise her and memories of ten years ago haunts her. As the therapist suggested her to jot down bad memories to get over them. She try to write everything but going through those memories again and dealing with demons of her past also unveils the unsettling truth, mystery and unhealthy obsession. The book was twisted and suspenseful.


Thanks to the Author and Publisher.

4⭐️

Ten years ago at Miami University in Ohio, five college students were killed in an off campus house. The massacre, dubbed the Midnight House Massacre, only left three survivors that have been trying to make sense of that night ever sense. As the ten year anniversary comes closer, survivor Margot has been asked to write about her side of what happened in Midnight House that night. And to do that, she has to return to campus and starts to learn that what she always believed to happen that night may not be true.

I really enjoyed this! I'm not sure it was supposed to be based on the University of Idaho killings a few years ago, but a lot of the details felt very similar. Specifically I noticed with the three survivors how everyone was suspicious of how they were skipped over and why they didn't call the police for so long, similar to the real case. A number of side characters were extremely suspicious that made trying to figure out who was behind the killing difficult, especially when the general public all put forward their own theories as well.

Each of the characters were well developed and had their own personalities that made it easy to root for some of them. The dynamic of the girls in the dance group really built up the story that lead to the murders. Margot's grief and survival guilt specifically felt like it's own character after she spent ten years feeling like it was her fault. That being said, there were several decisions Margot made in present day that I questioned. The people she was suspicious of versus those she quickly trusted didn't always make sense and in the end put her in more danger than necessary.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this ARC to me!

Dark academia, a creepy Victorian house called Midnight House, ballerinas and a mass murder - I was sold from the start.

Return to Midnight follows Margot, a survivor of the Midnight House massacre in which most of her best friends were slaughtered, as she returns to the scene of the crime years later to write a book about it.

This reminded me so much of the Idaho murders and there were so many similarities. Emma said she started writing this prior to the murders loosely basing it on the Bundy sorority murders so the parallels are even more eerie.

I really loved the way we had flashbacks starting 17 hours before the massacre counting down to it. It had a real impending doom feeling to it seeing how happy the girls were while also illuminating different suspects to the reader. I was hoping the twist wouldn’t be silly and ruin it and it didn’t! There was one final twist that kinda made me roll my eyes but it didn’t ruin the main twist.

This was such a creepy, fun thriller and I’m truly shocked that it was a debut for this author. Cannot wait to see what else she comes out with!

4.5 ✨ rounded up 🩰

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this one! The dual timelines between the murder in the past and the present day where one of the survivors is writing a book about the tragedy was beautifully done. The author did a wonderful job of sprinkling in just enough twists and drama to keep the read engaging throughout. And just when I thought I was going to be a little disappointed with the ending, there was one final twist thrown in that I really enjoyed. The house itself (the Midnight House) was probably my favorite part as it was full of secrets itself, and the author really brought it to life through her descriptions. This one is full of secrets, friend drama, and coping with tragedy. And while it dragged on at times, I definitely recommend this one!

3.5 Stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.

This book crafts a gripping tale of suspense that pulls readers into the haunted past of a massacre survivor. Nearly a decade ago, five Ohio university students were brutally murdered in what the media dubbed the "Midnight House Massacre." Margot Davis, the lone survivor, has spent years trying to forget that horrific night, burying the memories deep as she pursued a career as a crime novelist. But now, she's returning to the scene of the crime to confront her past and finally tell her side of the story.

The novel kicks off with a chilling premise: Margot's return to the Victorian house where the tragedy occurred is supposed to help her heal, reconnect with fellow survivors, and dispel the conspiracy theories that have plagued her since the event. However, things take a dark turn when Margot begins receiving threatening notes demanding she stop lying—or else. This sinister development forces Margot to confront a truth she's been too terrified to reveal, putting her life at risk.

Dues skillfully builds suspense through well-placed flashbacks and a steady stream of red herrings, keeping readers guessing about the identity of the murderer. The narration is compelling, and the story effectively plants seeds of suspicion about every character, even if some of them feel a bit underdeveloped. I felt that the inclusion of a potential love affair was a throw-in to the story and did not add anything.

However, while the story is engaging, it does have a few shortcomings. The characters, particularly Margot's interactions with the other survivors, could have been more fleshed out. Additionally, the book could have benefited from a brief prologue to set the stage for the crime, allowing readers to dive into the story alongside Margot more seamlessly. Despite these minor issues, the plot holds up well and maintains a decent pace throughout.

📚: Return to Midnight by Emma Dues
⭐️: 4/5

The gist: It’s called the Midnight House in Ohio, right outside the Oxford University campus. 10 years ago, a vicious massacre took place where only 4 survived. Now, a decade later, survivor and writer Margot Davis returns back to the scene as she tries to write about that night. With the killer in prison, she should be safe — but then threats start coming her way, and they start escalating quick.

The good: Chilling, suspenseful, and honestly the right amount of scary. This read kept me guessing. I read about 75% #inonesitting, to find myself dreaming about the possible ending — which meant I flew through the final quarter in the middle of the night. I couldn’t rest until I knew the truth behind what happened. A *really* impressive debut from Emma Dues.

The eh: While it kept me guessing along the way, by the end, the reveal felt obvious. I also wish there was a bit more focus on Julia’s character and dynamic — it’s a subplot point that would be a great depiction of toxic friendship with a touch more focus.

A big thank you to Thomas & Mercer (@amazonpublishing) via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Return to Midnight is out later this month on August 27th!

I have a lot of mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, the author did a good job at drawing the reader in, leaving just enough clues amongst the red herrings to cast everyone into suspicion. I was also intrigued when it came to the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a student named Elise before the massacre (although I figured that one out on my own pretty quickly, I didn't piece together quite ALL of the details and some of them I'm still a little confused about mainly how they managed to conceal evidence with absolutely no one knowing).

On the other hand, I couldn't feel any connection to the characters. Not the ones in the past, and certainly not Margot. Which was unfortunate as she is who we travel the depths of the story with. There were so many times when she did the stupidest things imaginable when a simple call to the police would have solved literally all of the problems (and probably would have saved some lives as well). I am also confused as to why Remi and her husband agreed to let Margot stay with them in the house, when it was evident they didn't want her there. Heck, they even told her they didn't want her there, but she still didn't leave. We rarely see them interact with one another, and when we do, it does nothing to move the story along. Remi refuses to discuss the horrors of the past even though she lives in the home in which they were committed, and with the exception of one late night foray upstairs, and another more detailed search later on, Margot doesn't spend any time in the rooms her friends once occupied, so I'm still uncertain to what she hoped to accomplish by being there (other than stirring up bad memories for other people).

I will say the ending came as a bit of a surprise in terms of the truth of what happened that night. I thought I had worked it out for myself, but even I didn't see the truth for what it was which left me pleasantly surprised. I would read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. I found the story to not be captivating from the beginning and found myself not wanting to continue. I tried to make myself but eventually gave up. Thank you for your consideration and the opportunity.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this review copy.
This review is based on my completing this book and reflects my opinion while reading the story.

3.5 stars.

This is a good book based on an intriguing idea with important reference points ticked. The book blurb had inspired me to download this book and the story starts off on a high note.
The survivor of a massacre going back to the scene of the tragedy after some time hit close to home for me. Although not a part of the incident, I had lost some close people in a tragic incident and had gone to the place 15 years later for closure. This made me connect with the story immediately and helped me understand the character of Margot, the trauma that she has had to face. That she becomes a crime writer and is willing to write a book on the tragedy seeped like a sort of therapy for closure. So far so good. I could have done with a brief prologue of sorts about the crime which would have put me in the frame to explore the story along with Margot. I felt that Emma missed an opportunity here.
The red herrings in the form of notes threatening Margot made the story a little bit more complex by leaving the dissolution of the crime wide open to interpretation. Good move.
Overall this is an interesting story.

What I felt letdown about the story was the characters which needed to be more fleshed out and also her interactions with the other two survivors. Apart from this the story held up well and moved at a decent pace. Emma also writes solid prose, which needs some shortening but never bogs down the story.

Emma Dues is a writer whose future books I would be on the lookout for.

Thank you @netgalley @amazonpublishing #partner for the free copy of this eARC.

Several years ago a tragic and terrible event occurred at Ohio University. Five friends were brutally murdered inside their house. The media called it the “Midnight House Massacre”. Miraculously there was a sole survivor, Margot, and all she wants to do is forget that dark and terrible night. Years later, Margot decides that if she writes about that night maybe she can move on with her life. In doing so, she knows she needs to visit the scene of the crime. Shortly after she arrives someone has caught wind she’s back because she starts receiving threats. Someone doesn’t want her back here meddling around. Margot knows she must dig through the dark and forgotten depths of that fateful night in order to save her own life now!

Calling all dark academia lovers! I really enjoyed this one! This book drew me in from the get go and honestly kept me on the edge of my seat from page one. I loved how the two timelines came together and left me quite jaw dropped at the end with a shocking twists! The narrator was unreliable, my favorite type! 😂 In the end there were so many wild and freaky details that came together it just wowed me. This book was extra eery and chilling because it felt a bit real. Maybe it’s because I recently read a book about the Idaho college murders which was simply just devastating. This book isn’t based on those murders but definitely reminded me of it. 😭 I think books that make me scared is why I read thrillers and this one did that job! Sign me up for whatever Emma writes next!

Unfortunately, after multiple attempts I have been unable to get into this. I have chosen to DNF. I apologize.

I thought this was absolutely great. The characters were well fleshed out and the imagery was great. Not to mention, as an ex-dancer, it made me a little nostalgic for those days.

Well, not where there's like a huge massacre, but you get it. Lol

I really enjoyed this. Got a little long and I guessed whodunit, but enjoyed it nonetheless!

I can't say much without giving away the entire plot but this was a fantastic debut, utterly riveting and kept me on the edge of my seat, lots of unexpected twists I didn't see coming, and I'm a sucker for a well done unreliable narrator, can't wait to see what else this authir writes!

Ten years ago, Margot, then a senior in college and member of a tight-knit friend group, survived a massacre, which killed five people, including most of her close friends. Now, she’s a successful true-crime writer, but she’s never gotten over that night. When she agrees to write a book about the tragedy, she goes back to Midnight House, the scene of the crime to finally confront the demons of that night. But it appears that not everything about that night is over yet, despite the fact that the killer is safely behind bars. And Margot is going to have to get real about what happened that night to figure things out, and quickly.

The story is told along two timelines: one in the present; and one, hour by hour, leading up the murders.

Of course, the mystery and set-up pulled me right in. It was Final girl-esque (one other couple survived that night) and sounded downright creepy, right up my alley, so immediately, I was in. And I wasn’t disappointed as I dove into this one. The storyline is fantastic as you get to know this damaged friend circle in the past and get involved in this mystery in the present.

There’s also twists and turns around each corner as secrets and lies are revealed. I mean - it’s a group of college girls, right? It definitely gave me Gossip Girl vibes at some points, which added a nice layer, especially since I’m well past those days, lol.

But I have to say, the major reveals weren’t too shocking. They were pretty majorly hinted at throughout the story, so I figured out some version of most of them, if not guessed them spot on. But there were some nice twists, even if I was in the ballpark, which kept things interesting. Read this one to the very, very end, guys!

Overall, this was a creepy, well-plotted thriller, with a good mystery at its core. Don’t pass it up!